things i think about while powerwashing 157

Shortcut to anonymous subscriber submission link: https://forms.gle/2MABf8jNr2V8kEY87

Happy MLK Jr. Day!! I struggled on whether I should write this newsletter on Sunday or on Monday but in accordance with federal holiday guidelines (and market holidays) I have chosen to start writing the newsletter on Sunday BUT publish this newsletter on Tuesday.

Which makes sense, I think!!!

But even more fun is how I’ve been on VACATION!!! Technically I’ve just arrived to the work offsite a few days early but I’ve been hanging out with esteemed subscribers Ellie Wang, Kristi Nguyen and ANIMAL QUEEN EMI CHAN and it’s just been a blast.

Culinarily, I’ve been getting an awesome crash course in Texan cuisine starting with some Egyptian-style BBQ at KG and some pretty great Tex-Mex at Maudies. I cannot start to talk about the food at KG — even the Mac and Cheese had some spices in it as well! I think the star of the meal was the za’atar & pomegranate glazed pork ribs. I think — and I sometimes do — this is how all ribs should be cooked. And maybe what all BBQ sauces are trying to achieve! There’s a sweet taste coupled with the slight hint of the sour bite of pomegranate, all melting into the fatty juices of the rib.

What’s there not to like??

It’s a fun city. Sometimes I go to cities in the US and I’m like “hey, there’s not much fun here.” But something about the ridiculous size of the Texas star in front of the Texas State History Museum is fun — and the sheer size of the museum itself! The quirkiness of the way the roads flow through the hills the same way the low-hanging branches curl around each other as they reach out away from the trunk. There’s innovation in the tradition (KG BBQ) but the tradition still stands on its own (Maudi’s TexMex). And this is me visiting when it’s cold!

This is simply a fun place to be, at least for someone like me visiting from New York. It has a whimsical nature that doesn’t seem to be lost yet. Maybe it’ll lose its shine in the next days during my offsite — hope not!

I also went hiking but I’ll write about it next week!!!!

museum of the week

In a surprisingly timely exhibit the Poster House is currently showing posters from fascist Italy — the time of the dictator Mussolini. I honestly did not have any previous knowledge about him but his career path sounds eerily familiar to some power people today: started as a newspaper commentator who eventually was elevated as the authoritarian leader of his nation.

I also did not realize his dome was so iconic. Well, iconic at the time.

They got this guy’s silhouette everywhere. The guy is literally dome shaped and they even have one that has him looking 360. Look at this!!!

The posters from within Italy tell an interesting story of a man who has the strength to lead a nation, the one who was the most representative of the strength that the country needed to rise to prominence like their Roman ancestors. On the outside (as seen in this Vanity Fair cover), he was more of a caricature. At least that’s how I took it.

But a repeating motif throughout the exhibit that I thought was interesting was the harsh black and angular shapes. Like the 360 view, or even this random eagle looking thing.

So interesting. So timely.

anonymous subscriber news

Yeah … better to know your body well before than learn about it in the moment. Hope you’re feeling better anonymous subscriber!

Submit here: https://forms.gle/2MABf8jNr2V8kEY87

• anon suffers: I’ve underestimated the amount of time an upset stomach sucks away from your total day

animal of the week

SEND IN ANIMAL PHOTOS TO THIS GOOGLE FORM! https://forms.gle/NT3nSkKVbpkjCr1u8

This one comes from esteemed subscriber Sydney Greenwood who has seemingly reunited with her cat Bartlet! We love a cat with their own personal rug — what a polite looking fella! Mashallah brother Bartlet!

My cat Bartlet moved in with me and has now converted to Islam.

Send me your animal photos at ryan@torrtle.co OR at this form https://forms.gle/NT3nSkKVbpkjCr1u8!